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Search Results for: salsa

Why Is Rhythm & Vibes Dance Popular In London?

Dsantos Dance UK now Rhythm & Vibes Dance

Couple dancing
Rhythm & Vibes Dance Company received a donation from the Arts Council England for #CultureRecoveryFund

The majority of Europeans agree that social dancing is the most popular nightlife activity in London. In addition to that, if you bet on enjoying the astonishing movements of Afro-Latin rhythms, the connection between unknown people who have the same desire to learn dance, you keep in shape without realizing it and release endorphins that increase the state of well-being, then the joy and the passion are greater. Rhythm & Vibes Dance has this key to triumph with fun included, making this Latin and African dance academy the most popular for six years in this cosmopolitan city of the 21st century.This school recognized by the Arts Council of England in 2020 for its contribution to culture, each week (before the global pandemic) was like a festival with more than 4000 people participating in the events each year led by national and international professional instructors with years of experience that made the dance lessons unmatched.

Rhythm & Vibes Dance, formerly known as Dsantos Dance UK, is developing a program of Salsa, Bachata, Kizomba, and Semba that will be safe and entertaining for everyone, to respect the rules of social distancing due to the Covid 19 Pandemic. This program of activities will be being announced on its website SOON.

LATIN DANCE CLASSES AND PARTY IN RV DANCE

English woman dancing with afroamerican man
After the fun dance lessons, the Salsa and Bachata party begins

Rhythm & Vibes Dance Company (RV Dance) was established in 2015 by director and dancer Richard Voogt. “We strive to create a festive atmosphere at each event, celebrating great music and culture in the way we know it best … Through fun yet professional classes, we create a space that brings together an eclectic mix of people to speak and socialize easily. Whether people come simply to try something new or want to build a career in dance, we welcome everyone with the same passion and enthusiasm”. Richard Said.

At RV Dance they raise the profile of social dance by promoting health, development, community unity, and cultural awareness that go beyond the joys of dance.

With their professionally designed study plan, anyone will be saying goodbye to those “two left feet” in a short time. Salsa classes are open to people of all ages and abilities at three levels (beginners, intermediate, and advanced). Each lesson lasts one hour and immediately afterward the Latin party will begin, where you can enjoy practicing your new steps with good music.

Young couple dancing
In individual classes, you will get the full benefit of focus and attention

But now, how do you identify at what level you can start? It is easy in this academy. Students in Level 1 (The most important and fun level) are beginners or those who have taken lessons for six months or less, which means they have attended less than 30 Salsa classes. At this level every week, they will work on the fundamental steps of this rhythm and the basic concepts of dance, in addition to complementing each week 10 additional, well-known, and fun movements as a couple. Also, the instructor will keep you alert weekly by making you dance freestyle with what you have learned.

Level 2 is for those who have danced for more than six consecutive months. At this level, the Salsa teachers will challenge you to put your movements of the genre in combinations; besides, they will present you with ten complex combos of work in a couple. Here, a lot of fun awaits you and you can last on this journey to the depth of Salsa for up to a year and a half approximately.

Finally, for the more advanced students is Level 3, for the lady and gentleman, who have mastered the techniques of Salsa and have taken one or more classes of this rhythm a week for more than two years. This level presents the most defiant combinations of this Afro-Caribbean genre, as well as the finer points of style and body movement.

Additionally, at RV Dance you can also have private, professional, and fun Salsa, Bachata, Cha Cha, Merengue, Kizomba, Semba, Kuduro & Afrohouse classes. Each lesson style provides the time and space necessary for the nationally and internationally recognized teacher to focus on the main aspects of dance technique, skill, or understanding in which a person wishes to excel.

NORA SUZUKI

32 Years After Her Debut In Salsa

Nora Suzuki singing
“The difficult thing was to get Latino to believe that Japanese are playing salsa. At first, no one believed me, so I had to sing and dance in front of them”. Nora Suzuki

She broke paradigms in Latin and Asian music in the late ‘80s. She founded the most famous Salsa orchestra in Japan (La Orquesta De La Luz). She paved the way for new generations of artists. She is an institution of Afro-Caribbean music in oriental culture. A leading woman, dreamer, charismatic, and enthusiastic… This is how Nora Suzuki presents her story.

This famous artist originally from Nakano-ku (Tokyo) did not always want to be a singer, at first Nora was inclined towards professional dance taking ballet classes at three years old, however, by then this young singing promise already had an unmatched vocal talent that couldn’t go unnoticed years later.

Her aptitude for the arts comes from her family because her grandfather was a master of drums and singing, her parents, although they are not professionals, continue to be excellent singers, her cousin is a music teacher, her brother is a fan of the English band, The Beatles, and finally, her son León (named so in honor of Venezuelan Salsa singer, Oscar D’ León) loves Japanese popular music right now, nevertheless, Nora hopes that one day he will succeed her as Salsero. As you can see, music runs through the veins of this successful international singer.

In the last year of Takashima High School in Tokyo (Japan) Nora’s track record of success began to be carved out. She started in an amateur rock band as the lead vocalist and developed her interest in R&B music. She sang in the ATOM band during her undergraduate career at Nihon University art of college. By then, the band had a percussionist (ex-leader of the Orquesta De La Luz) who loved Salsa and suggested to Suzuki that she study that Latin musical genre.

Nora Suzuki signing autographs
“Gracias Salseros” was released on the music market on August 20, 2019

“When I was 21, I visited New York for sightseeing and watched Oscar D’ Leon’s live at the Salsa Club. I was very impressed at that time and fell in love with Salsa. After that, a Salsa band called Orquesta del Sol was playing live in Tokyo, so I went to see that band. I was impressed that even Japanese people can play Salsa, so I decided to form La Orquesta De La Luz”. Nora explained in detail the idea that came up to create this famous Japanese Salsa Orchestra in 1984 and already graduated from university for that year.

For Suzuki, currently based in Tokyo, the last year (2020) was a year of changes: most of her concerts were postponed or canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but they were still able to perform live, and after the summer, they made several performances in their home city and other adjacent regions.

In the near future, the concert tour of Nora and La Orquesta de la Luz in America and Europe is a fact, as well as the fusion of modern elements such as Reggaeton inside Salsa in their new record productions.

HER PATH THROUGH SPANISH

Nora outdoors
“I have never felt discriminated while touring Latin America. I think it’s great!” Nora

For Nora, not everything was easy when she began her career in Latin music. At first, it was difficult for her to speak Spanish due to the pronunciation of the consonants “R” and “L”. Since there isn’t distinction in the phonetics of both letters in the Japanese language, however, this successful singer never occurred to sing Salsa in another language. “I tried very hard to pronounce it right… Now I have original Salsa song with Japanese lyrics”. The artist commented.

This charismatic singer-songwriter on her path through Spanish first caught the sounds in the katakana alphabet. Then, she studied Spanish grammar in courses broadcast on television and radio.

The lyrics of her songs are composed by her using words she knows, reading dictionaries, and example sentences carefully. Once the lyrics are made, they are reviewed by one of her friends of Latin descent.

 Now I can understand Spanish a lot. If you speak slowly, I can understand the rough meaning”.

NORA SUZUKI & LA ORQUESTA DE LA LUZ

This prestigious artist, who has captivated millions of people with her talent on three continents, was always persevering and disciplined. She formed La Orquesta De La Luz in the early ‘80s and later made a demo for their international performance. Three years later, with her savings, Nora toured three countries on the American continent: Panama, Puerto Rico, and New York.

Panama was the first country that set foot in search of being heard by Latinos. “I was very excited because I was able to appear on the radio and TV show, and the audience was very excited about my singing”. Nora commented.

Then she visited Puerto Rico and New York. Nora adds: “At first, I went to see Ralph Mercado, but unfortunately he didn’t listen to the demo tape. I was very depressed but didn’t want to give up, so I next met Richie Bonilla, and he was able to listen to the tape and could believe my story”.

Orquesta de la Luz in concert
“Some members understand Spanish a little, but most of them don’t speak it”. Nora Suzuki

After overcoming some obstacles, in 1989, they debuted as a world-famous Salsa band with their first concert tour in New York, thanks to the promotion of Bonilla, who currently continues to be her manager and the orchestra.

Eight years of resounding success on three continents and especially in Japan made each member of the band so popular that by 1997 it was impossible to match the schedule of each member, which caused the inevitable and regrettable breakup.

Five years later, specifically on January 16, 2002, Nora organized the World Peace Music Festival benefit concert due to the 911 incident in New York and return for the immense affection and support of Latinos in the United States. This concert was the catalyst for the reunion of La Orquesta de la Luz and by the beginning of 2021, the band has 23 countries already visited.

Recently, this famous star awarded the United Nations Peace Medal in 1993, together with the Orchestra, released the album “Gracias Salseros” in commemoration of their more than 30th anniversary. (This CD can be downloaded and listened to through the different digital platforms).

In the last 10 years, La Orquesta de la Luz has toured Japan twice and has participated in consecutive years in the Billboard Live in Tokyo and Osaka. You can also see them perform at local festivals, children’s schools, and through their official Facebook page with their live-streamed rehearsal videos that have a total of 9 000 000 views.

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Hicham Billouch and his Nour Marruecos Orchestra “Arabic music”

“Music for me is like oxygen, I cannot live without it and I will never forsake my passion “.

Hicham Billouch, Moroccan musician, seeks to explore new musical avenues and possibilities.

Billouch studied music at the Royal Conservatory in Marrakech and graduated as a pianist. He also plays the violin, the lute, the guitar and the sintir.

When he was a teenager, he started working in cabarets in Marrakech like Hotel Sahara Inn, Rotana, VIP Club and Hotel Le Semiramis in Casablanca.

In Morocco, he played along with singers like Ahmed Adawiyya from Egypt, Fares Karam from Lebanon, Mohamed Reda, Pinhas, and Badr Sultan from Morocco.

He also participated at the Mawazin Festival organized by the Government of Morocco and worked in the organization of musical events such as Green March Day.

"Music for me is like oxygen, I can't live without it and I will never give up my passion."
Hicham Billouch and his Orchestra Nour Morocco
Arabic Music

In France, he played with Maqam al Ushaq, which is a Moorish music group, at the Mediterranean Music Festival in Corsica and the International University Music Festival in Belfort Ville, France.

In Mexico he created Nour Marruecos, an Arabic music ensemble, with local musicians. Nour Marruecos has participated in international festivals such as Lerdantino (Durango), Festiva Toluca and Calimaya (Mexico State) and the Córdoba International Book Fair (Veracruz). He also played in the Lebanese Restaurant Adonis in Polanco. Mexico City.

In Mexico City, he organized a belly dance competition and also published a book with the Spanish translation of 40 Arabic songs.

Her record production includes 3 CDs: Salam, Qamar and Kalimat, with covers of Arab songs and her own compositions.

After moving to Mexico City, Maestro Hicham Billouch established the Arabic music ensemble Nour Marruecos with local musicians.

Gnawa music to be inscribed in 2019 on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity
Nour Morocco Orchestra Arabic music

The Orchestra

Nour Marruecos has participated in international festivals such as Lerdantino (Durango), Festiva Toluca and Calimaya (State of Mexico), the Córdoba International Book Fair (Veracruz) and the Arab Week organized by the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económicas of México.

The ensemble has also represented Morocco in various cultural and official events organized by the Embassy of Morocco and in private events of the Arab, Lebanese and Jewish communities.

Fusion

Gnawa music, inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2019, is one of the most versatile, because its scales and rhythms have their roots in sub-Saharan Africa, so theyr are compatible with the pentatonic scales of blues and jazz.

That is why Hicham Billouch has merged the traditional instruments of Gnawa music such as the guembri, the outar and the qraqeb, with instruments from India such as the sitar, the tabla and with electronic music.

Arabic instruments

Arabic music has a long history of interaction with many musical styles in the world. Arabs people translated and evolved Greek texts and mastered musical theories.

In the pre-Islamic period, Arabic music consisted of singing poetry. As for the musical instruments, they were used in a manner that may accompany and savour the meaning of poetry.

Arabic instruments can be classified into three main types: string instruments, wind instruments and percussion instruments.

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Andrew Mark Mclaughlin is an author, composer, writer and professor of language

Andrew Mark Mclaughlin is a Canadian-born author, composer, writer, professor of language, and lover of Latin culture and music of Canadian origin. Born in Oshawa, Ontario in 1977, he reveals a special sensitivity from an early age.

 

He developed his teenage life between studies, sports and his first approach to music where he participated in a rock band called Trailerpark Cinderellas.

Being a teenager and on a vacation visit to the Dominican Republic in the bateyes to the rhythm of the cane cutting, he discovers the magic and rhythm of Latin music that will become one of his two great passions, the other, the spirit of public service accompanied by his delivery as a teacher.

First, he continued his studies at the University of Toronto, then at the University of Salamanca, Spain. And finally, at the Faculty of Education at York University.

In 2001, he started working as a professor of literature and language in Pickering, Ontario. That same year, he started composing and singing.

In 2001, he started working as a professor of literature and language in Pickering, Ontario. That same year, he started composing and singing
Andrew Mark Mclaughlin is an author, composer, writer and professor of language

In 2006, with that permanent concern that characterizes him, he and Carmen Muñoz Franco founded Learning for Hope (Aprendiendo por la Esperanza), which is a non-profit organization, with the sole intention of working with educational communities in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Cusco, Peru. The project operates to the present day.

The heart of the project is an educational center for boys and girls in orphanages, including victims of human trafficking.

In 2010, as an enlargement of the project, he arrived in El Salvador to work with the Agape Foundation, which does charity work throughout the country.

Thanks to this work, he met Rubén Flamenco, the director of Salsalvador Allstars, which is the most important salsa band in the country.

In honor of Geovanny Torres, a common friend who was suffering from a sad disease, Andrew composed his first song in Spanish, “Cúrame con Salsa”, a song that continues to be played on the radio stations of the country.

Due to the success of this song, the opportunity arises to play the song Terremoto with Giro Lopez, celebrated Puerto Rican salsa singer. Since then, with that energy, creativity and strength that characterize him, he has created more than a thousand songs ranging from salsa to cumbia including bachata and romantic ballad.

His mind and adventurous spirit have taken him out to many places where he has had the opportunity to meet many musicians, who are ambassadors of his creativity today, including Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, El Salvador, Chile and Colombia.

By: Diana Marie Miami Correspondent for International Salsa Magazine

 

SOME OF HIS SONGS

FRANKY SWING & DAVID CUEVAS: MI MEJOR MEDICINA

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xGt8FxwpUM

YANI BORRELL: TE DEDICO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbczlNplncw

IZIS LA ENFERMERA DE LA SALSA: CORRE CONMIGO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLV7pXVx_Zw

FRANKY SWING: TE AMO LOCAMENTE (MEXICO AND VENEZUELA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RIcgOgXDdg

LUIGGY LAMBIS: MI GRAN AMOR (COLOMBIA AND CHILE)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kpQCxZ71EY

LUIGGY LAMBIS: CHICA SALSERA (COLOMBIA AND CHILE)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86VwbAW4F9Q

NKLABE & SALZON: MANOS DE AMOR (PUERTO RICO & EL SALVADOR)

*NOMINATED FOR TROPICAL SONG OF THE YEAR

*Produced by: Diego Gale

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80jMABYs2Zc

GIRO LOPEZ: TERREMOTO  (PUERTO RICO)

*It reached No. 1 on the SALSOUL RADIO charts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkMG7JRq71g

GIRO LOPEZ: AQUÍ ESTARE (PUERTO RICO)

*It reached No. 4 on the Miami DJ pool chart

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty-IjNUt5Tg

EMI SANTIAGO: ESCLAVO DE AMOR (COLOMBIA)

*It reached No. 1 on the LA TROJA RADIO charts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqMd_wJBTEA

SALSALVADOR ALLSTARS: CURAME CON SALSA (EL SALVADOR)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HH_isr8oJvU

It reached third place in the World Salsa Championship 2020

SALSALVADOR ALLSTARS: SONRISONA (EL SALVADOR)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLoA_OKTH5M

SALZON: SALSA SECRETA (EL SALVADOR)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO2GgpGWxAQ

SALZON: AMOR ILOGICO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2o5VywA3Cco

CODIGO FHER: ESA SONRISA  (BOLIVIA)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aki-nX84lvI

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Luis “Perico” Ortiz Considered one of the most important exponents of Tropical Music worldwide.

” The Astro ” He is still among Friends

Puerto Rican trumpet player, composer, arranger and producer boricua, obligatory reference of the Puerto Rican and Latin music of the last three decades of the 20th century.

He has cultivated the most diverse styles, from Salsa, through Jazz, to Pop and Bolero. He is considered one of the most important exponents of Tropical Music worldwide.

Luis Esteban Ortiz Ruiz, better known as Luis “Perico” Ortiz, was born on December 26, 1949 in Santurce, Puerto Rico. “Perico” was born into the extreme poverty that housed so many families on the Island of Enchantment.

His love for music fueled his dreams, although without imagining the idol he would become, an artist who this year celebrates 55 YEARS of a fruitful career that led him to travel the world and push for more stars.

Perico Ortiz was a true child prodigy, whose vocation for music was awakened at the early age of five. He was trained at the Escuela Libre de Música and later at the San Juan Conservatory, later joining the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Pau Casals before he was 20 years old.

In 1970 he moved to New York, where he began his professional career working with the groups of Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaría, Machito and the legendary David Bowie among others, and was a regular collaborator of the Fania All-Star machine, the project of artists that popularized urban salsa around the world and collaborated with the companies Velvet of Venezuela and TH Rodven.

In 1977 he made his first solo recording under the Turnstyle label, a subsidiary of Latin Percussion Corp. A year later he established his own orchestra and won the “Diplo” award for best trumpet player in Puerto Rico.

Elsewhere, in New York, “EL ASTRO” was awarded “Trumpeter of the Year, “Arranger of the Year”, “Best Orchestra” and “Musician of the Year” during the Latin New York Magazine Awards held in the Big Apple.

Luis "Perico" Ortiz Considered one of the most important exponents of Tropical Music worldwide.
He is still among Friends
” The Astro “

The musician, born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, established numerous musical companies such as Sunrise Productions, Perico Records, Dialen Promotions Inc. and Dialen Recording Studios. Also

Dialen Publisher, founded a publishing house with licenses in the U.S., Europe and Japan.

In 1981 he was recognized by the Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos (ACE) as the best exponent of Latin music, an honor he shared with Julio Iglesias. In the following year he received another recognition from the ACE as Best Orchestra in New York.

In the summer of 1987 he wrote and conducted the soundtrack for the movie “Mondo New York” in collaboration with maestro Johnny Pacheco.

Through his orchestra passed the voices of Rafael De Jesús, Billy Carrión, Domingo Quiñones and Roberto Lugo, although it was with the latter two with whom he reaped the greatest triumphs of his extensive discography: Sabroso, Sabor tropical, In Tradition and El Isleño.

In 1988 he created his own production and recording company: Dialen Promotions, later Luis Perico Ortiz Productions, dedicated mainly to radio and television advertising. That same year he produced and arranged Barry Manilow’s Hey Mambo album.

Luis also worked in the advertising area producing, composing and arranging musical spots for radio and television commercials. In this aspect he did productions for commercial firms Heublein Spirit Group (Smirnoff Account), Castor Advertising (Mc Donalds), Uniworld Advertising (Kodak), Max Mambrú Films, Blaze Productions, John Casablancas/Elite Modeling (Film Scoring & Music Composition/72 minutes), Polaroid, HBO, Canal 47 (TV campaign “Contigo Siempre”), among others.

Perico Ortiz was a true child prodigy, whose vocation for music was awakened at the early age of five. He was trained at the Escuela Libre de Música and later at the San Juan Conservatory, later joining the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Pau Casals before he was 20 years old.
Luis Perico Ortiz

In 1993 he moved to Puerto Rico where he established his new company, Luis Perico Ortiz Productions, Inc. with which he began professional production relationships with Disney, Buena Vista Television, There Goes The Neighborhood and Quincy Jones Office.

For Disney Corporation he produces part of the music for the television special “Christmas in the Americas”. For the Quincy Jones Office he produced segments for the historic “Summit of the Americas” event for 34 presidents and dignitaries of the hemisphere. Both projects were televised to hundreds of countries simultaneously.

In 1995 he toured Colombia to promote the RMM label project, “The Perfect Combination”, performing in four concerts in front of more than 250,000 people who applauded him.

Later he opened with his Latin jazz group the “Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest ’95” and presented lectures, workshops and Latin jazz concerts in Aruba during its Carnival.

In February 1996 he traveled to Europe to perform in concert. A month later he arrived in Venezuela to perform in two concerts at the Poliedro. He produced a new recording for the RMM label, entitled “Café con leche y dos de azúcar”, and inaugurated his new orchestra on National Salsa Day, March 10, 1996 in front of an audience of more than 25,000 Salsa lovers.

In 1997 he produced for a Japanese record label “Sweet Basil”; a project featuring Yoshihito Fukumoto, former member of the famous Japanese orchestra La Luz, in a recording with ingredients of Latin jazz, R&B, salsa, rap, pop ballad and Brazilian rhythms.

He also produces for the Toshiba-EMI Limited label of Japan the compact disc “Bésame mucho” and for Sony of Puerto Rico “El cuarto Rey Mago”, a Christmas project by singer-songwriter José Nogueras for the multinational.

In 1998 he performs at Bellas Artes as guest artist of Lucecita Benítez. In the same way, he produces maestro Tommy Olivencia for the Polygram label and performs with his great friend, sonero Domingo Quiñones, in a series of concerts at Bellas Artes.

As the end of the century approaches, he releases an instrumental CD with bolero, cha-cha-chá, jazz/pop and salsa songs, entitled “Emociones”. It includes his versions of classics such as “Perfume de gardenia”, “Usted”, “Sin fe”, “Tu pañuelo”, “Silencio” and the Christian hymn “Cuán grande es él”.

With this release, Perico completes a discography that includes some twenty titles among which are “My Own Image”, “Super Salsa”, “One Of A Kind”, “El Astro”, “Sabroso”, “Sabor tropical”, “El isleño”, “Entre amigos”, “La vida en broma”, “In Tradition”, “Breaking The Rules”, “Vuelvo otra vez”, “At Valley Cottage”, “Acaban con tó”, “The Man, His Trumpet and His Music. .Are Back”, “La combinación perfecta”, “Café con leche y dos de azúcar” and “Luis Perico Ortiz – Éxitos Volumen I”.

Perico Ortiz was a true child prodigy, whose vocation for music was awakened at the early age of five. He was trained at the Escuela Libre de Música and later at the San Juan Conservatory, later joining the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Pau Casals before he was 20 years old.
Luis Esteban Ortiz Ruiz, better known as Luis “Perico” Ortiz

Among other awards and recognitions, Perico Ortiz was named Best Salsa Performer in 1981 and Best New York Orchestra in 1982 by the Asociación de Cronistas de Espectáculos (ACE).

When he was just 10 years old Ismael Rivera was spying on him from a fence (HINT: THIS WORD COULD BE PUT IN ITS MEANING OR ASSOCIATION BECAUSE IT IS NOT A COMMON WORD FOR ALL COUNTRIES) near his rehearsal place in Tras Talleres. He approached him one day and baptized him “Perico” repeating with the battered trumpet he was assigned at the then fledgling Escuela Libre de Música de San Juan the notes of “Quítate de la vía Perico”, a song that would remain engraved in the history of popular music, and in his own.

“He told me, ‘They’re not going to call you Luis Esteban, they’re going to call you Luis Perico Ortiz and you’re going to be great,” he recalled of the second great memory of his musical beginnings. The first was in his home.

Chronological events of more and important interest:

1970-1976, works as a trumpet player, arranger, composer and producer for; Tito Puente, Machito, Mongo Santamaría, Tito Rodríguez, Fania All Stars (and all their artists), Velvet De Venezuela, TH Rodven and Johnny Pacheco.

1977, makes his first recording as a soloist under the Turnstyle label (subsidiary of Latin Percussion Corp.).

1978-80 establishes his orchestra. Wins “Diplo” trophy as best trumpet player in Puerto Rico. In New York during the Latin New York Magazine Awards in 1978 he is awarded the following trophies; Trumpeter Of The Year, Arranger Of The Year, Best Orchestra Of The Year and Musician Of The Year.

1981-87, recognition granted in 1981 by the Asociación De Cronistas De Espectáculos {ACE} as the best Salsa/Caribbean Music interpreter, which he shared with Julio Iglesias.

In 1982 he received another recognition by ACE as Best Orchestra of New York. During the summer of 1987 he writes and directs the Score for the movie “Mondo New York” in collaboration with maestro Johnny Pacheco.

1988-93, during 1988 produces, arranges and conducts Barry Manilow. Hey Mambo” project. In 1988 opens his own production company, Dialen Promotions Inc.

It is the first Puerto Rican company to offer multiple services in the area of production and recording with its own Analog/Midi recording studios.

Through his involvement with his company, Luis is involved in the advertising area producing, composing, sound engineering and arranging jingles for Radio and Television as well as Videos and Film Scoring.

Some of his accounts were: Heublein Spirit Group (Smirnoff Account), Castor Advertising (McDonalds), Uniworld Advertising (Kodak), Max Mambru Films, Blaze Productions, Johnn Casablanca/Elite Modeling (Film Scoring & Music Composition/72 minutes), Polaroid, HBO, Channel 47 Television Campaign-“Contigo Siempre” and many more.

1993, returns to his homeland, Puerto Rico, and immediately establishes his new company, Luis Perico Ortiz Productions Inc.

1994, establishes production relationships with Disney Corp, Buena Vista Television (California), There Goes The Neighborhood and Quincy Jones Office. For Disney Corp.

Produces part of the music for the television special “Navidad En Las Americas”. For the Quincy Jones Office, he produced segments for the historic “Summit of the Americas” event for 34 presidents and dignitaries of the Western Hemisphere. These projects were televised to hundreds of countries simultaneously.

1995, performs Artistic Tour of Colombia (RMM “The Perfect Combination”) where he performed a total of four concerts to over 250,000 people.

Opens with his Jazz-Latino group the “Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest ’95. Will make his next recording (Salsa) with his orchestra at the end of 1995.

1996, presents lectures, workshops and Latin Jazz concert in Aruba during its Carnival, February goes to Europe for concert, in March will perform in Venezuela for two concerts at the Poliedro, produces his latest production “Café Con Leche Y Dos De Azúcar” under RMM Records & Video Corp, inaugurates his new Orchestra at the National Salsa Day, March 10, 1996 in front of an audience of 25,000 Salsa lovers.

1997, produces for the Japanese label Sweet Basil an American project (Latin Jazz, R&B, Salsa, Rap, Brazilian Music, Pop Ballad). Artist: Yoshihito Fukumoto (Former musician of the famous Japanese orchestra “La Luz”).

Establishes a new recording division within his company {LPO Productions Inc.}. It is identified as “Suave Instrumental”.

As his first work he releases his first compilation of hits (Luis Perico Ortiz EXITOS volume 1) with the voices of Roberto Lugo, Billy Carrión and Domingo Quiñones.

Produces for Toshiba-EMI Limited (Japan) a CD. Title: “Bésame Mucho”. Produces for Sony José Nogueras (Proyecto Navideño 1997).

1998, performs at Bellas Artes as guest artist for Lucesita Benítez. Produces the master Tommy Olivencia for the PolyGram label.

Performs with his great friend Domingo Quiñones in a series of concerts in Bellas Artes, produces an instrumental CD containing songs of the Bolero, Cha-Cha, Jazz-Pop and Salsa genre, the CD is titled “EMOCIONES”.

Concert and reunion of all its main singers at the Luis Muñoz Marín Amphitheater during the Bacardi World Salsa Fest ’98.

In the year 1999 during the month of January “Perico” visited his second homeland, Panama, where he had the opportunity to perform a concert with the pleasant company of Panamanian musicians and Roberto Lugo on vocals. Exquisite! During the month of March he performed with Arturo Sandoval in a regal concert, it was the first presentation of both of them in Panama.

It was the first presentation of both in Puerto Rico, because they had already performed together in the United States and Europe (NorthSea Jazz Festival * Holland).

In the month of May he performed in the Tributo Histórico a Héctor Lavoe as a guest artist.

“Perico” begins his move from secular music to Christian music serving the Lord, establishes himself as Musical Director of the Levittown Church of the Nazarene in January, establishes the foundation and direction of the Harmony School of Music, opened his recording studio (SUAVE Recording Studio) for the development of his record label “Suave Instrumental” and to attend the needs of other Christian record companies in relation to external productions.

2000, during the beginning of the year Perico further strengthened his commitment with Harmony School Of Music, he released four (4) of his catalog recordings in digital format, they are: Sabroso, Sabor Tropical, El Isleño, In Tradition, with the voices of Domingo Quiñones and Roberto Lugo.

In addiction he released his first solo album, My Own Image originally under the Turnstyle Records label, to Martin Cohen company (Latin Percussion) in digital format.

Perico has just finished his most recent production with guests such as: Domingo Quiñones, Bobby Valentín, Papo Lucca, Cachete Maldonado, Endel Dueño, Elías Lopés, Rafi Torres and much more,the project titled Jamming and released under the AJ RECORDS label.

One of the most important moments in his life was the birth of his first granddaughter ISABEL ANNA, born March 31-2000.

2001, Perico currently serves as Producer and A&R Director for AJ Records (sister company of Casa De Los Tapes), he just finished the production of Tommy Olivencia 40th Anniversary/LIVE.

New projects to be finalized: Ray Barreto {50 Aniversario} & La Ganga. Perico receives for the production Jamming a nomination for the TU MÚSICA awards. He has just produced two (2) productions for the territory of Japan. The artist is Rie Akagi and the genre is JAZZ.

2002, wins the TU MÚSICA award for best Christmas production. Produces “RAY BARRETO LIVE-50 Aniversario”, “Lunna Bohemia”, Los 100 Años de Andy Montañez en Vivo from the Bellas Artes in Santurce, Rie Akagi (Japan) & a music score for a Japanese cartoon.

2003, produces the “Puerto Rican Masters” for TV special and DVD.

2004, produces the first Salsa Gospel Festival, serves as music producer of the show and music producer of the DVD, cultivates his duties as a teacher for the Conservatory of Music in the area of the first Bachelor of Jazz and Caribbean music.

He teaches a Latin Jazz Combo course and a Master Class for the development of musical language, self-esteem, form, analysis, composition and interpretation.

Produces the tribute show to Marvin Santiago before his death. Also produced the DVD, the artists produced were the Puerto Rican Masters, Domingo Quiñones, Oscar De León, Victoria Sanabria, Prodigio & Andy Montañez among others.

Musical production of Objetivo Fama Christmas show & Christmas CD-DVD of the group for UNIVERSAL MUSIC.

2005, produces, arranges and composes the soundtrack for Jacobo Morales’ most recent TV film, “Pa’ Eso Estamos”.

He also produces the CD-DVD of the film achieving an exquisite and aggressive Sound Track work.

For the second consecutive year he is designated as one of the musical producers of the long awaited Christmas work of Banco Popular. He is selected by the program HUELLAS MUSICALES to make a retrospective of his musical contribution.

2006, currently very active with the development of the Jazz and Caribbean Music Department of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.

Visits Columbia College in Chicago to give Master Classes and concerts with Jon Faddis, Eddie Gómez and the faculty of the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music.

Travels to France to participate in the Toros & Salsa Festival in Dax during the month of September 9-11. Produces flutist Rie Akagi for Japan.

2007, Perico is officially appointed as Artist in Residence by the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico for the department of Jazz and Caribbean Music, along with the same position are exercising the Masters Eddie Gomez and David Sanchez.

March 18 begins the world tour with his Salsa orchestra, his original singers Rafael De Jesus and Roberto Lugo, his Latin Jazz Big Band and his Latin Jazz Combo, as an important part of his tour, in addition he will be giving Master Classes to Universities and Colleges to work closely with the future musicians of our genre… Latin Music.

2008 Maestro Luis Perico Ortiz is invited to be the Keynote Speaker during the Forty-Fifth Graduation exercises of the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.

A great honor for “Perico” since he is a former student and his dream was to see Latin music and Jazz studied at the Conservatory. If Pablo Casals could see it….

In addition, Maestro Perico is commissioned by the Autonomous Municipality of Carolina to be the Musical Advisor and Artistic Director of the new PLAZA GIGANTE DE LA MÚSICA to be inaugurated on June 28, 2008 and the International Jazz Festival of Carolina 2008 to be held on August 15 & 16, 2008.

2009, he is invited to be the Musical Advisor of the Carolina School of Fine Arts, in addition he works professionally as Artistic Director of Special Events for the Municipality, he visited for the first time the country of Peru where he performed at the acclaimed festival Chimpum Callao in front of an audience of 42,000 people.

2010, this year is emblematic for Luis as he celebrates his 50th anniversary in music. In January he was honored during the 40th Anniversary of San Sebastian Street with the San Sebastian Award for his achievements along with Roberto Roena.

He visited the Lehman College in New York where he performed in concert with Rafael De Jesus and Roberto Lugo.

Produced and directed the 6th Carolina International Jazz Festival. Performed with Paquito D’ Rivera, Mario Grillo, Tito Puente Jr., Tito Rodriguez and Gilberto Santa Rosa.

In November he visits New Mexico for the first time invited as Guest Artist of the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, he was invited by Dr. Mariano Morales, in addition he performed with Mariano’s group for a Jazz concert and a Master Class at the University of New Mexico, a historic event.

2011, Luis Perico Ortiz serves as coordinator of the 3rd Bolero Festival in Carolina, Puerto Rico. Guest artists throughout the two days of activities during the month of April were Lourdes Robles, Nydia Caro, Elías Lopés, Braulio, Lilly y su Gran Trio & Trio Los Condes.

During the month of August, Luis becomes the Artistic & Musical Director of the 7th Carolina International Jazz Festival.

The festival is dedicated to the PIANO. The invited artists were Mariano Morales, Luis Marín, Ángel David Mattos, Yan Carlos Artime & Michel Camilo.

Luis performs the second day of the festival with his Big Band and a group of great artists as guests of his orchestra.

December 2 Luis performs as Artistic & Musical Director for the long awaited Carolina Christmas lighting. Artists of the stature of Tony Vega, NG2, Pedrito Guzman, Juan Velez and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico share with his orchestra a historic evening at Christmas in Carolina.

On December 23rd after almost a year of arduous musical creative work, Luis was the composer (11 songs), arranger (9 songs) and Artistic & Musical Director of the most important concert of his career, the Inaugural Concert of the Carolina Children’s Museum, He conducted a Symphony Orchestra (43 teachers) with a Chorale of 30 voices (youth and children) and a corps de ballet of a total of 56 dancers from the School of Fine Arts (Chorale and Dancers), he had the collaboration of teachers Cucco Peña (3 arrangements & 1 composition) & Frankie Suárez (1 arrangement).

2012, served as coordinator of the 4th Bolero Festival of Carolina, Puerto Rico, the artists invited throughout the two days of activities during the month of April were: Escuela de Bellas Artes de Carolina, Tato Díaz & Dream Team Trio, Las Divas Del Bolero: Mayra Mayra, Jaqueline Capó & Awilda, Paquito Guzmán, Carmín Vega, Orquesta de Elías Lopés, Ramoncito Rodríguez y Los Andinos, Pijuan y Los Baby Bommer Boys, Chucho Avellanet &Lissette.

In August he becomes the Musical Artistic Director of the 8th Carolina International Jazz Festival with the special participation of Arturo Sandoval.

In December, as usual, he returns to produce for Carolina the long awaited Christmas Lighting. The artists were; Ebac, Plenealo, Luis Perico Ortiz Orchestra, Ismael Miranda, Moncho Rivera, Claudio Prodigio, Henry Santiago, Henry Santiago, and many others.

Special artist Victor Manuelle

2013, after 6 years of recording absence, Maestro Luis Perico Ortiz makes one of the most ambitious and complex productions of his career, inviting a handful of friends he makes TIEMPO DE AMAR, collaborating with Luis, Ruben Blades, Andy Montañez, Alex De Castro, Jose Juan Hernandez, NG2, Victoria Sanabria, Ismael Miranda, Jose Nogueras, Danny Rivera, Prodigio Claudio, Giovanni Hidalgo, Rie Akagi and the Ernesto Ramos Antonini APPAOS Symphony Orchestra, also a battalion of the best musicians from Puerto Rico, Venezuela and Cuba, 8 recording studios (Puerto Rico, United States and Japan) represented by excellent engineers perform the recording of this epic work, composers: Luis Perico Ortiz, José Nogueras, Victoria Sanabria, Juan José Hernández, Yan Carlos Artime, Prodigio Claudio and Luciano Quiñones, arrangers: Luis Perico Ortiz, Iván Rodríguez and Luis García.

A dream come true, the sale of this epic was donated in its entirety for the benefit of children with cancer through the San Jorge Children’s Foundation. The production took nearly a year to complete.

Luis Perico Ortiz serves as coordinator of the 5th Carolina Bolero Festival in Puerto Rico.

The artists invited during the two days of activities during the month of April were: Escuela de Bellas Artes de Carolina, Máximo Torres, Iris Chacón, Lalo Rodríguez, Pete Bonet, Rafael José, Meñique and the Orquesta de Elías Lopés.

In August produces the 9th Carolina International Jazz Festival with the participation of: bEscuela De Bellas Artes de Carolina, Alex Ayala Trio,

Edwin Clemente 3D ZONE, David “Piro” Rodríguez, Justo Almario,

Luis Perico Ortiz Latin Jazz Big Band and guests.

In November he travels to Venezuela for two Jazz (Big Band) concerts as special guest of the famous Venezuelan trumpet player Yturvides Vilchez.

He returns in December to produce the Christmas 2013 Christmas Lit with the participation of EBAC, Barreto y su Plena y su Orquesta with his guests: Papo Sánchez, Pedro Brull, Domingo Quiñones and Victoria Sanabria, in addition the closing was in charge of Joseph Fonseca.

2014-2020, “Perico” continues as advisor and Artistic Director of Special Events for the municipality of Carolina.

Discography of Luis “Perico” Ortiz

  1. My Own Image, Sello Disquero Tunstyle
  2. Super Salsa, Sello Disquero New Generation
  3. One Of A Kind, Sello Disquero New Generation (GOLD)
  4. El Astro, Sello Disquero New Generation
  5. Sabroso, Sello Disquero Perico Records #320 (GOLD)
  6. Sabor Tropical, Sello Disquero Perico Records #330
  7. El Isleño Sello Disquero Perico Records #340
  8. Entre Amigos, Sello Disquero Collector Series #527
  9. La Vida En Broma, Sello Disquero Perico Records #350
  10. In Tradition, Sello Disquero Perico Records #360
  11. Breaking The Rules, Sello Disquero Perico Records #370
  12. Vuelvo Otra Vez, Sello Disquero DPI Records #400
  13. At Valley Cottage, Sello Disquero Polystar (Japan)
  14. The man, his trumpet and his music are back, Sello Disquero DPI Records #410
  15. La Combinación Perfecta, Sello Disquero RMM-SONY (Artista Invitado y Arreglista) (Platinum Sales Award)
  16. Café Con Leche Y Dos De Azúcar, Sello Disquero RMM Records & Video Lanzamiento Mayo 1996
  17. Luis Perico Ortiz Éxitos Volumen 1, Sello Disquero Suave Instrumental # 197
  18. Emociones, Sello Disquero Suave Instrumental # 198
  19. Luis Perico Ortiz Éxitos Volumen 2, Sello Disquero Suave instrumental # 1982
  20. Jamming, Sello Disquero AJ Records
  21. Déjalo Entrar (artistas invitados, Alex De Castro, Domingo Quiñones y Roberto Lugo), Sello Disquero Suave Instrumental
  22. Cristo Esta En Victoria, Sello Disquero Suave 2507
  23. Tiempo De Amar (2013) Suave 6388

Luis Perico Ortiz is considered one of the most important exponents of Tropical Music worldwide.

Companies

Dialen Publisher

Dialen Promotions

LPO Events. P. S. C.

Address

San Juan Valley

Plaza Bohío SJ 19

Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico. 00976

Contacts:
(787) 602-0048

www.facebook.com/perico59

luis_perico_ortiz_official

Email: [email protected]

[email protected]

https://www.luispericoortiz.com/

Services
Artistic Presentations
Orchestras: Salsa and Latin Jazz (from Combo to Big Band)

Musical Arrangements

Online Classes

Compositions

Trumpet Recording and Recording Producer

Artistic Advisor for Special Events

How to cite this article:

Ruiza, M., Fernández, T. and Tamaro, E. (2004).

Biography of Luis Perico Ortiz.

In Biografías y Vidas.

The online biographical encyclopedia. Barcelona (Spain).

Retrieved from https://www.biografiasyvidas.com/biografia/o/ortiz_luis_perico.htm

El Astro, Sello Disquero New Generation
Luis Perico Ortiz “El Astro”

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International Salsa Magazine (ISM) is a monthly publication about Salsa activities around the world, that has been publishing since 2007. It is a world network of volunteers coordinated by ISM Magazine. We are working to strengthen all the events by working together.